If I am interested in something or do something within a certain identity group, it does not automatically mean I want to identify as such. I know, I know, identity has become such a mainstream buzzword that we're all tired of hearing about it, but this is something very important to me that can't be left unsaid.
The concept is as simple as this: If you like watching those short Tasty cooking videos or even episodes on Food Network, that doesn't mean you're looking to be a chef or even know how to cook. You may not even be willing to try cooking the things you're interested in watching at all. And that's okay. Just because you're interested in a certain something doesn't mean you have to publicly identify yourself with that thing. It also definitely shouldn't validate someone else passing judgements on who you are based on this one interest.
That was just one simple example, but it goes much deeper than that and touches upon identities that are very valuable to certain people:
If someone's into championing LGBTQ+ rights and going to Pride events, that doesn't make them gay.
If someone's devoutly religious and expresses their spirituality, that doesn't mean they want to be a nun or join a religious order.
If someone supports a certain policy, it doesn't mean they belong to that political party that sponsors it.
The list goes on, but do you get what I'm trying to say here?
A person is a collection of all their different interests and identities, not just the ones they choose to show. And understand that you do not have any authority to decide someone else's identity based on what you see in them.
